China, Timor-Leste sign cooperation agreements

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with Timor Leste's Prime Minister Jose Alexandre Xanana Gusmao, in Sanya, Hainan province, April 9, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and Timor-Leste signed agreements on economic cooperation and tourism on Wednesday, as part of efforts to forge an all-round cooperative partnership between the two countries.  [Special coverage]

The agreements were signed after Premier Li Keqiang met with visiting Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in Sanya, Hainan province. Before their meeting, Li hosted a welcoming ceremony for Xanana Gusmao.

Li stressed that China always upholds the principle that all nations, large or small, strong or weak, poor or rich, should be treated as equal.

He said China is willing to deepen cooperation with Timor-Leste in agriculture, energy and personal exchanges, as the two countries face similar tasks such as economic development, improving people's living conditions and eliminating poverty.

China is willing to push forward the building of the Maritime Silk Road with Southeast Asian nations, Li said. China proposed the concept of building a Maritime Silk Road last year as an economic corridor to expand its space for international economic and technological cooperation and accelerate the building of free trade areas.

In addition, China also values the role of Timor-Leste in deepening China's relations with Portuguese-speaking countries, the premier said.

Xanana Gusmao said Timor-Leste sees China as its "most important partner" in East Asia. He thanked China for its long-term support for his country's independence movement as well as its ongoing task of economic development.

Xanana Gusmao said his country will help push forward China's relations with Portuguese-speaking countries, and Timor-Leste is also willing to play an active role in building the Maritime Silk Road.